Thursday, September 21, 2006

Do You Dulaan?

I do.

I'm usually not much for charity knitting. In general, I feel that the poor can use my pocket money more than my stockinette. But I find that The Dulaan Project is an exception. It's a way to turn some of the joy I get from the process of knitting into happiness for others. That works for me. In case it might work for you, too, here's a bit of information.

The goal, in brief, is to send a dizzying number of warm, handmade garments and blankets to those who need them (especially children) in Mongolia, a place so cold that in February the wealthy inhabitants visit Chicago to lie out on the beach. Okay, I made that up. But it's cold there. Wicked cold. And a lot of people (especially children) face the winters with far less clothing than they ought.

In addition to knitting my little bit, I'm also considering putting together a Dulaan Knit Night for Dulaan knitters in Chicagoland who'd like to congregate, most likely some time in early November. I have a beautiful venue at my disposal, and will post further details as they develop. If you'd perhaps be interested in attending, please speak up in the comments.

Dulaan Item Number One: Baby Surprise Jacket

Aside from selecting and attaching buttons, my first Baby Surprise Jacket is finished, and it's going to Mongolia.

This pattern, which I got from Elizabeth Zimmermann's The Opinionated Knitter, is legendary and it deserves to be. You knit the entire jacket in one, flat piece with weird shaping every so often. Before you know it, you have a symmetrical garter-stitch amoeba. You then fold this amoeba up just so, sew two short seams, and this is what you get:

I am so impressed with the creative genius behind this design that after I finished it I put EZ's picture on my altar and dedicated the merit of my morning chanting (such as it is) to her memory.

I used a heavier yarn (worsted weight) than the pattern suggests, in order to create jacket that would fit a slightly older baby. Or a baby that eats too many Big Macs, or likes to smuggle a flask of Jack Daniels in its diapers.

I loved everything about this project except the yarn, which is Lamb's Pride Worsted. The fabric is nice to touch, and it drapes well, but every time got up from a knitting session I was covered in mohair fluff. I looked like I'd been cuddling a nervous orange cat in my lap. Yecchh. Never again.

With different yarn, the Baby Surprise Jacket is going to become a mainstay whenever I want something fun but simple to knit up as a baby gift. In fact, if my female friends would please consider getting pregnant, I'd be much obliged. Thank you.

The sweater looks a lot like Cottage Creations' Babies and Bears Sweater ... which, I am now guessing (having never seen EZ's pattern) is based on this one, but is hooded and a tad shorter. It's my favorite baby knit.

You really cannot make baby clothes that are too big. You just start with the sleeves rolled up and extend them as the baby grows. It's nice to have something the baby can wear for a while. I love this jacket. It is pretty, and so practical!

As my partner Joy said, we're a ways west of you, currently propagating the queer race. And we read your blog religiously and quote each other bits all the time. Does this get us counted as friends deserving of baby knits? Hell, we'll even read Dolores's letters to our unborn baby! We're shameless!

But we'll settle for baby items we can buy from your CafePress collection.

That's a great jacket. I have some EZ books but the designs always look so drab. In color on the web, it's a different story.

EZ's Surprise Jacket is my absolute favourite pattern. I have made a number for various and sundry babies in my life, using different colour combinations and yarns. It's a fun pattern to help use up small amounts of the same size yarns. I have also made myself one. I get so many compliments when I wear it. Thank you for sharing!

Franklin, thank you for this posting in support of Dulaan. I've received at least one email as a result, and I see that many of your other commenters are expressing an interest as well. Kewl!

In answer to David's question, and to clarify, the blankets we are requesting are actually a non-knitted item. They are made out of two pieces of fleece cloth (the kind used to make fleece jackets) which are fringed and then knotted together. Here is a pattern: http://www.bfranklincrafts.com/CraftIdeas/CraftIdea-FleeceBlanket.html

Of course, you can send knitted blankets as well but the fleece blankets are a fun item for folks who want to participate but don't want to knit. The organization that distributes the items in Mongolia say that the blankets are perhaps their #1 most important item.

Thank you everyone who has expressed an interest!! Please email me at rymorriss@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

yes, yes, yes to Dulaan project and a knitting night here!!!! Just let us know....

Oh, and re yesterday's post and consumerism, etc, here is something wry that came to my attention today. The kind folks at Dover bring us the Dalai Lama Paper Doll http://store.doverpublications.com/048645181x.html

I love the colors and the way you arranged them. I love knitting this jacket andit looks different every time because of color placement. I used baby cashmerino befoer and that is by far my favorite so far for a little size jacket.

I think charity knitting is a Good Thing. Charity knitting for those children within the U.S. that don't have socks, mittens, or blankets, is a bigger Good Thing. Think of some of the poorer Indian tribes in the Dakotas, that suffer through almost the same kind of temperature extremes, as the Mongolian children do. I realize that some Indian tribes are making money hand over fist, due to tribal gaming. Those tribes don't share with the have nots.

I'm always so happy to see on my blog line that I see a new post from you! It was this very pattern that opened my eyes to the genius that is Elizabeth Zimmermann. I did one out of Kureyon. I loved how the self-striping Kureyon was the star in this pattern and what kind of mind came up with this? I think almost every knitter should try this just to get a glimps into Elizabeth's mind.

You did a GREAT job and I really love the colors...well done. Now are you willing to try the Adult Surpise Jacket? I'm not sure if I am.

Writing in from the Dulaan motherland, I can tell you that the Mongols are fruitful and they multiply. Thus, baby stuff is at a premium. The only problem with that Surprise Jacket is the fights that are going to break out among the parents over who gets it! Ya'll better knit a bunch.

I'm so touched by how this project has fired people's compassionate imagination. The reality here is pretty stark -- Ulaanbaatar is the world's coldest capital (I'm talking average high in January of -17!), and the li'l sweater you knit can literally form the difference between a child being able to attend school and not.

Bless you all. I just got an email from F.I.R.E. director. She's coming October 5, with volunteers arriving in the first week of November. I'll be on the scene to help, and document on my blog with photos and stories.

BTW, if you're so inclined, F.I.R.E. is still trying to raise $10,000 by September 30. You can throw a few shekels their way here: http://www.fireprojects.org/donate.htm

And you can also watch an excellent 5 minute video about their activities in Mongolia here: http://www.channelg.tv/video.php?project_id=44

I'm a 2-year veteran of the Dulaan Project out here in Seattle. It's a marvelous project, and I wish you could all meet Ryan herself 'cuz she's the best!!!

Hope your Chicago Knit In happens and is a blast--we love knitting together out here in Seattle.

You must know, too, Franklin, that TMK's CHOCOLATE TOFU PIE is a requirement for these knit ins. I'll ask her if she'll send you the recipe.

For any of you not in Chicago or Seattle--host a Dulaan Knit In in your town! I prefer "community" knitting to the term "charity" knitting, because it is so cool to form the community at both ends. Those who knit and those who get the knits. Hugs to all, Mary B

Well, I'm a bit too far off for a Dulaan night in Chicago, but progress continues apace on the Black Bunny roll cuff raglan sweater, and it looks as though I'll have enough left over to do matching hat and mittens. I've also got another large & thick hat that's languished nearly finished for a while. All that one needs is another 15 min. or so of decreasing at the top. I think I do more Dulaan knitting than for most anything else, really, but it seems the need is greater.

i've got knitting without tears, but i think i'm going to have to invest in the opinionated knitter. i've seen the baby surprise jacket on many blogs, but i think i like your version best. off to amazon i go!

oh, and it must be the orange that sheds so badly. i use lambs pride worsted for my felted bags, and while there is a small amount of shedding (to be expectged with the mohair content) i don't look like i've been cuddling with my cat & my knitting at the same time. i havne't used the orange.

Love your baby surprise jacket! It is a very popular baby shower gift and the pattern never gets boring. I've also knitted a couple of the adult versions, but they turn out sort of "boxy". As most babies are a little portly by nature, the proportions seem to work better on them. Great way to use up leftover yarn too!

Franklin, I love the name of your blog; I hadn't noticed it before (I had only checked out your camp pictures) but feel thrilled to actually "get" a reference to well, anything...thanks to my grad class on Revolution and the required readings.

I'm happy to see that you've knit the baby surprise. Meg and Cully are filming a baby surprise DVD, hopefully to be released before the holidays. Cully (mathematical whiz that he is) has re-done the numbers to give another option for a larger sweater. And, Molly Greenfield is including some original EZ baby surprise jackets in her exhibit at the University of Wisconsin, opening Oct. 27 in Madison. Meg will be at the opening reception for Q&A on the 29th, if any of you want to join in the fun. We've found some great archival letters, scrapbooks and other things to add to the garments by EZ/Meg and other designers.

my younger DD is due in early april.i make crochet buttons for the EZ BabySurprise. soft and foldy little bows for the lady babies, they work great.could crochet other little shapes for the guys i guess. LOL... or go with the current craze for pirate skulls, which i just put on crochet boots for the baby. glow in the dark skulls.your dulaan night will be a great success, i'm sure of it.

That is going to be one sophisticated stylish Mongolian Baby, I just love the color combo. I'm obsessed with knitting hats, I've knit them for all my kids, hubby, sisters, etc, now I'll start knitting them for the Dulaan Project, thanks.

I do not Dulaan yet, but I will with you! I'm in your neck'a the woods neighborhood-wise -- I think I met you once when Stephanie P-McP came to Arcadia. Just name the date and I'll knit like charity pays well.

I love the BSJ! I really love your color combination. I've made several - turned 2 into pull-overs, and added hoods to all but the first one. It's a very easy pattern to mess around with. Besides being available in the Opinionated Knitter - about $30.00 - it is also available as a one page leaflet from Schoolhouse Press. I think it's $3.00 + postage. BTW - I just discovered your blog - and I love it! What a great sense of humor and view on life you have!

i am so envious. i am living in denmark. but i would love to come to the dulaan night in chicago and meet knitters. seldom meet any in copenhagen anymore. except when shopping for yarn. am knitting the surprise sweater myself right now. looks cute and is a surprisingly fun knit.

zI absolutely love the sweater. Since I am new to EZ, can you tell me which book has the pattern for the sweater? Any suggestions for good washable yarn as I'm sure dry cleaning would not be an option for most.

I love the surprise baby jacket, I've been searching online but I can't find a pattern for less than 17$ - which I think is crazy for one sweater pattern!! Could you email me a copy? Please let me know if you can't!!sweedish_berrie@hotmail.comThanks so much!

Please Franklin, if you have time, will you give me some advice about the surprise baby jacket? I’m knitting this jacket too at the moment and have hit a snag. I reached 152 stitches and cast of 5 at beg of next two rows for neck as instructed. The next instruction happens at 158 st. but as you are increasing 4 in a row, 152+4=156, not 158?

When you come to pick up your stitches again after working 10 ridges on the centre 90 st, it instructs you to pick up 34 st from your needle. I don’t have 34 st on my needle becuase I just cast off 5! I’m so hoping you’ll have time to help me. I’ve put maxium effort into thi jacket, I would hate to fall at the last hurdle. Many thanks.

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